Bohr bug definition
In computer programming, a Bohr bug is a tricky, hard-to-fix software problem that keeps coming back no matter how many times you try to solve it. It's named after physicist Niels Bohr, who once said, "Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future." This quote summarizes the main idea — that these bugs are difficult to pin down and fix.
See also: bug fix
What causes Bohr bugs?
- Different parts of the code not working well together.
- Entering unusual data that’s hard to reproduce.
- Parts of the program running at the wrong times or in the wrong order.
- A program using memory incorrectly or forgetting to free up space.
- Multiple parts of the program interfering with each other.
- Unreliable external services or systems that the program depends on.
How to prevent Bohr bugs
- Keep your code simple and easy to understand.
- Run tests in different scenarios to catch issues early.
- Use detailed logging to track and diagnose problems.
- Check for edge cases (rare situations).
- Get someone to review your code to find potential issues.
- Keep software components and libraries up-to-date.
- Make sure your program can handle unexpected problems.
- Track the program's performance to spot unusual behavior.
Real-life examples of Bohr bugs
- Windows XP Service Pack 2 (2004). This update introduced a Bohr bug that caused some systems to crash, affecting many users worldwide. The issue was a real headache for the Windows teams because it only happened with specific network setups. Tracking down the exact combination of factors that triggered the crashes took a lot of time, making it a frustrating and persistent problem for both users and developers.
- Zoom (2020). During the surge in Zoom usage over the pandemic, a bug appeared that caused video and audio quality glitches for some users. The tricky part was that it only happened under specific, less common network conditions, which made it tough for Zoom's team to identify and fix. As a result, users had to deal with some not-so-smooth calls.
